Kensington and Chelsea PCN: Payment, Challenges and Appeals

Just received a Kensington and Chelsea Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) and don’t know whether to pay it or appeal?

You’ve come to the right place. Over 130,000 people turn to our site each month for advice on fines and parking tickets.

In this step-by-step guide, we will:

• Explain what a Kensington and Chelsea PCN is.
• Discuss if you have to pay Kensington and Chelsea fines.
• Show you how to appeal a Kensington and Chelsea parking fine.
• Share how to avoid getting a parking fine in Kensington and Chelsea.
• Tell you what might happen if you don’t pay the fine.

We understand it’s frustrating to get a council parking fine, but you’re not alone. In fact, Churchill Motor Insurance reports that in 2022, UK councils issued an average of 19,631 daily parking fines, a 12% increase from the previous year.¹

Don’t worry! We’re here to guide you through the whole process, from understanding the fine to finding out whether you can appeal it.

Let’s dive in.

What is a fine?

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea can issue parking fines just like any other local authority.

These parking fines are officially called Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), but a PCN can also be issued for some driving offences caught on camera.

It includes turning right when there is a no-right-turn sign. 

Take a look at why one motorist got a Kensington & Chelsea PCN and couldn’t afford to pay the fine.

Source: Moneysavingexpert

It’s important to note the difference between a Penalty Charge Notice, which is issued by a council, and a Parking Charge Notice, which is a parking fine from a private company.

A valid private parking charge may be legally owed before a court case. It is a civil contractual claim, separate from a council PCN. Court enforcement measures require a judgment and the appropriate enforcement process.

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How much is it?

The current Band A parking penalties are £160 at the higher level and £110 at the lower level, reduced to £80 or £55 during the applicable 50% discount period. Bus lane and moving-traffic penalties are generally £160. Check the amount and deadline on your notice.

For Band A parking penalties, the discounted amounts are £80 or £55. Check the date on the notice before paying.

The exact amount you’re fined will depend on how serious the parking contravention was. It will be higher if you put other people in danger or if you caused a major disruption or incident. 

Do you have to pay?

You must either pay your Penalty Charge Notice Kensington and Chelsea within 28 days or lodge an appeal PCN RBKC challenge within the same period.

You should never ignore an RBKC PCN issued to you, as doing so will make the fine grow bigger and could result in legal action being taken against you.

Challenging a ticket

If you received the PCN Kensington on your vehicle, you can make an informal appeal first within 14 days.

I know the appeal process can be a bit challenging. That’s why I’ve put together this table that will help you better understand the steps you should take. If you want to learn more about PCNs, be sure to check out our specialized guide.

Further guidance: Traffic Penalty Tribunal; Citizens Advice.

Formal representations are normally due within 28 days of service of the relevant Notice to Owner or postal PCN. Follow the document’s instructions and deadline; there is no universal day-29-to-day-56 window measured from the original PCN.

It’s worth checking what Kensington and Chelsea PCN evidence is held against you, which is possible online with your PCN number. It’s the council’s RBKC PCN view evidence online option. 

What happens if you don’t pay?

A charge certificate can increase the penalty by 50% once the statutory conditions are met. It is not an automatic consequence of the first 28 days passing: a timely challenge or appeal affects the permitted next steps. Follow each notice’s deadline.

A charge certificate adds 50% to the penalty: for example, £160 becomes £240. Further statutory enforcement can add costs, so this is not a cap on the eventual total.

You’ll have 14 days to pay the new fine amount in full.

An unpaid charge certificate can lead to debt registration and an Order for Recovery. Liability does not begin only when that order is made. The order explains payment and any permitted witness-statement or statutory-declaration route.

Ignoring the court order will result in the local authority using bailiffs to recover the money.

If bailiffs get involved you will have to pay their fees, which can be expensive and much more than your parking fine. 

How to Pay

You can pay your RBKC PCN by calling 020 7361 4380 or online using the council’s website.

You can find the online payment portal here. 

To make a payment, you’ll need your vehicle registration number and your PCN number, the latter is found on your parking ticket, usually at the very top. 

Kensington and Chelsea PCN contact details

Parking regulations

Parking restrictions are strict in Kensington & Chelsea, and there aren’t many places to park.

Most streets are parking permits only or residents parking only with some streets having metered parking which is expensive.

If you park unlawfully in the borough, you will be given a parking ticket and in a worst case scenario, your vehicle could be clamped or towed.

References

1. SkyNews – Parking Tickets Statistics